Real Salt Lake Wins MLS Cup in Seventh Round of Penalty Kicks!

By: Rocky Cole | November 22nd, 2009

Real Salt Lake wins the MLS Cup in the seventh round of penalty kicks! Once again, Nick Rimando proved the value of a goalkeeper with catlike reflexes in carrying his team through the penalty kick round. Rimando was awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his efforts during a hard fought match with the LA Galaxy.

Not many soccer pundits gave RSL a chance against the experienced Galaxy squad, and the ESPN announcers, Julie Foudy excepted, seemed unable to breath during their commentary without first praising David Beckham and Landon Donovan, but as Jason Kreis, coach of RSL commented post-game, “We believed in ourselves as much as people outside the locker room didn’t believe in us.” RSL, down after the first half of play due to a solid goal by the Galaxy’s Mike Magee, fought back with an equalizer from RSL’s Robbie Findley.

When regular time and the added thirty minutes of overtime expired, it was all down to the Galaxy’s backup keeper, Josh Saunders, and RSL’s Nick Rimando, who had faced PKs against Chicago Fire just a week ago. The LA Galaxy’s starting keeper, Donovan Ricketts, had gone out with a hand injury in the second period. Saunders played well in goal, but Rimando was better, and in the end, Rimando’s goalkeeping during the PK period was the difference.

RSL deserved the win. The team had a rough campaign this year, but they learned to be tough and to never give up.

Well done RSL! Well done!

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Category: LA Galaxy, MLS, MLS Playoffs, RSL, Real Salt Lake, Scores, Seattle Sounders, Team News

Tags: LA Galaxy, MLS, MLS Playoffs, Real Salt Lake, RSL, Scores, Seattle Sounders, Team News

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Comments   |  Add your comment

• Praxis |  November 22nd, 2009 at 9:38 pm

  
  
  

  Hell yeah!!! Rimando, you won this for us!

  Posted from United States

  

• Nick |  November 22nd, 2009 at 10:34 pm

  
  
  

  Great game to watch. Mathis was really excellent.

  Posted from United States

  

• laurie |  November 22nd, 2009 at 11:57 pm

  
  
  

  I am exhausted. Great game. We were surrounded mosly by RSL fans who’d made the trip. I was glad for their sake your guys could win it and glad I could be there.

  And now about those Beckerman dreads…

  Posted from United States

  

• Dustin |  November 23rd, 2009 at 4:12 am

  
  
  

  Donovan is a terrible person. I’ll never forgive him, I’ll boo him until my throat is tattered and sore!

  Lets get him at Seattle!

  Posted from United States

  

• Dave Martinez |  November 23rd, 2009 at 5:21 am

  
  
  

  Congrats to Rocky and the RSL squad!

  Posted from United States

  

• jon |  November 23rd, 2009 at 6:05 am

  
  
  

  Congrats, Rocky. Enjoy it.

  Posted from United States

  

• Monson |  November 23rd, 2009 at 6:49 am

  
  
  

  Congrats!!!!!!!!!! When are they coming in from Seattle so we can give them a proper homecoming?!

  Posted from United States

  

• Rocky Cole |  November 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 am

  
  
  

  RSL is flying in today at 2pm and will arrive near the JetBlue terminal. There is a press release about it in the MSL/RSL website.

  Posted from United States

  

• Kristi |  November 23rd, 2009 at 12:49 pm

  
  
  

  Congratulations, I can imagine how thrilled you are.

  Posted from United States

  

• Real Salt Lake Fan |  November 23rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm

  
  
  

  RSL are the champs! People said it was a fluke when we made the playoffs. People said it was a fluke when we beat Columbus. People said it was a fluke when we beat Chicago. Now we are the MLS champions. What more can we do! RSL is the Real Deal whether you like it or not

  Posted from United States

  

• ben |  December 3rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm

  
  
  

  Adu heading back to RSL

  http://footballfraternity.wordpress.com/

  Posted from United States

  

• Real Salt Lake Fan |  December 25th, 2009 at 11:26 am

  
  
  

  Nick Rimando for president! Finally Real Salt Lake gets some well deserved recognition

  Posted from United States

  

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